BJP's Nitin Nabin Sparks Controversy by Claiming Tagore Won Nobel Peace Prize
Nitin Nabin's Tagore Nobel Peace Prize Claim Sparks Political Row

In a political rally held in Durgapur on Wednesday, BJP national president Nitin Nabin made a statement that has ignited a significant controversy in West Bengal. While paying homage to the revered poet Rabindranath Tagore, Nabin incorrectly asserted that the Kaviguru was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to education.

Political Reactions to the Misstatement

The Trinamool Congress was swift to respond to Nabin's comment. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh demanded an immediate apology from the BJP leader, emphasizing that Tagore actually received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work Geetanjali. Ghosh criticized the BJP for what he described as a lack of respect for Bengali language and culture, suggesting that the party is unaware of Bengal's historical contributions to India.

Congress Joins the Criticism

State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar also weighed in on the issue, stating that this is not an isolated incident. He referenced previous instances where BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have made incorrect references to Bengal's culture. Sarkar argued that these repeated errors demonstrate the party's failure to understand Bengal's identity or asmita.

Broader Implications for Bengal Politics

This controversy comes at a time when political tensions in West Bengal are already high. The misstatement about Tagore's Nobel Prize has been framed by opposition parties as part of a larger pattern of cultural insensitivity from the BJP. Critics argue that such errors undermine the party's credibility in a state with a rich literary and cultural heritage.

The incident has sparked discussions about the importance of accurate historical knowledge in political discourse, particularly in regions with strong cultural identities. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact the BJP's standing in West Bengal and whether Nabin will issue a clarification or apology regarding his statement.